2026 · Blues Bytes

Interview by Bob Gordon

What’s the best thing about playing festivals?

I just love playing music in new places, to new audiences and seeing different things, so playing festivals allows me to travel the world and share my music to people who are ready to listen!

Do you have a Blues at Bridgetown experience that you’d like to share, either performing or as an audience member?

This will be my first time to Blues at Bridgetown, so I am very much looking forward to it!

Where do you feel you fit in musically along the blues and roots scale?

I see my music as sitting comfortably within the roots tradition because it's built on styles that have been passed down through generations. There's Australian folk and bush music at its heart, with strong Celtic, country and blues influences, but I like bringing those traditions together in a way that feels fresh rather than nostalgic.

Storytelling has always been the biggest part of what I do, and I perform everything live using guitar, harmonicas, didgeridoo and percussion. To me, roots music is about authenticity – real songs, real instruments and a genuine connection with the audience – and that's what I've always tried to create.

What have been the highlights of your music career thus far?

I’ve been lucky to be able to travel the world for 20+ years now playing music at festivals, venues and events, so to me that is the highlight. To be able to do something I love for as long as I have, I consider a highlight more so than awards etc, I may have won.

What have you been mainly focussing on in 2026 and how is it coming along?

2025-26 is the first year I haven't toured the European festival scene since 2012, so I have been focussing more on home and jumping back on the Australian festival circuit which has seen me play a whole stack of festivals over ‘25-’26.

What are your plans and hopes for 2027?

I’d love to record a new solo album soon which would be a more accurate representation of the show I have crafted out over the past few years.

What can folks expect from your performances at Blues at Bridgetown?

People can expect a high-energy, fully live performance that blends Australian folk, roots and Celtic influences with plenty of storytelling, humour and audience participation. I love taking people on a journey, from foot-stomping songs that get the crowd singing along to more heartfelt moments that celebrate Australia's landscapes, history and characters.

Every sound is played live using guitar, harmonicas, didgeridoo and a range of foot and hand percussion, so there's a lot happening on stage despite it being a solo performance. My aim is always to leave people feeling entertained, connected and with a smile on their faces.

A festival where everyone belongs.

Government of Western Australia

The Blues at Bridgetown is supported by the WA Government through Tourism WA and Royalties for Regions.

Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation the Blues at Bridgetown organisation acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Accessibility & inclusion

Blues at Bridgetown is committed to creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive festival experience for all attendees, artists, volunteers, staff, and community members.

We celebrate diversity and strive to ensure that everyone can participate in and enjoy the festival regardless of age, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, or personal circumstances.

We are dedicated to improving accessibility across our festival sites and events. We work to identify and reduce barriers to participation wherever possible and welcome feedback from patrons and community members to help us continually improve our accessibility and inclusion practices.

We expect all festival participants to treat one another with respect, dignity, and consideration. Discrimination, harassment, bullying, or any form of exclusionary behaviour will not be tolerated.

Blues at Bridgetown recognises the importance of creating spaces where people feel valued, represented, and able to engage fully in the festival experience. We encourage anyone with specific access requirements to contact us in advance so that we can work together to support their participation wherever reasonably possible.

As a community-focused event, we acknowledge that inclusion is an ongoing journey. We are committed to listening, learning, and collaborating with our audience, artists, volunteers, partners, and local community to ensure Blues at Bridgetown remains a festival where everyone belongs.